The Challenge

The challenge: make a set of pieces that meet specific requirements set by someone else, that you can duplicate and still makes you happy.

I’ve been working on this project for almost two months now and it’s an interesting challenge!
It started when I had the opportunity to submit my new work to a buyer that represents some fancy, high end stores. So, I put together my package and sent it off to her, after she reviewed it she came back with some suggestions that would make things more salable.

I’ve been working on those suggestions–hence, the challenge.

Part of what makes it challenging is that ceramics is a slow process.
I will make new pieces, as per the brief, and I won’t have a complete idea of the results until I’ve gone through all the firings and the glazing process. Then with those results in mind, I’ll start over to refine them further.

One of the harder things to make is an oval bowl. I’ve been making tests by throwing the bowl and then altering it to the oval form–more or less successfully. If I had a perfect oval mold, I could make the bowl by draping a slab over the form. It would very likely be easier, but of course, I think the hard way is the correct way…..hhhmmmm.

I’ve been filming the process as I go and the results are forever encapsulated in the video below.

I’ll keep you updated wherever this leads and I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

A new class session will be starting in September so check out my classes page to get all the information